Kenneth Branagh for Radio 4's 'Life And Fate'

Kenneth Branagh is to star in an epic eight-hour dramatisation of Vasily Grossman's masterpiece Life And Fate on BBC Radio 4.

Completed in 1960, Life And Fate charts the experience of a nation and a family during the turmoil of the Battle of Stalingrad, drawing sharp comparisons between Stalinism and Nazism.

The novel, regarded as one of the finest Russian works of the 20th century, was initially considered so controversial that it was seized by the KGB and Grossman told that it would not be published for 200 years.

A version of Life And Fate will take over every drama strand on Radio 4 from September 18-24, although The Archers will be aired at the usual time. Alongside Thor director Branagh, the cast also includes Samuel West, Sara Kestelman, John Sessions, Philip Jackson and Malcolm Storry.

Radio 4 will also tell the story of the author's life in documentary The Life and Fate of Vasily Grossman, along with three readings from his work as a respected war correspondent.

Gwyneth Williams, the controller of BBC Radio 4, said: "Hot on the heels of Martin Sixsmith's excellent 50-part series on Russia, I'm thrilled that Radio 4's dramatisation of Life And Fate will bring this remarkable but little known work to a wider audience.

"The novel's underlying message - the ability of the human spirit to endure in the face of authoritarian rule and war - is as relevant today as it was 70 years ago."

Life And Fate on Radio 4 will be preceded by a series of public events introducing the work, starting on September 9 at St Peter's College, Oxford University.

The events will include a special recording of Radio 4's Start The Week with Andrew Marr and guests, including Francis Spufford, Linda Grant and Martin Sixsmith.